Important things to know about Fire Insurance
Fire Insurance is a form of property insurance which protects individuals or business from the costs incurred by a fire (fire damage or fire destruction or relocation in case of fire). There are four types of fire insurance policies that are available in the market – one that pays the actual value of the property damaged in the fire, the next that provides an adequate replacement, the third that replaces a specific component damaged in the fire and the fourth that provides reimburses fire victims for relocation expenses. Almost all fire insurances cover the belongings that are destroyed in a fire – interior, furniture, clothes and valuables. The following are the important things to know about Fire Insurance
Important things to know about Fire Insurance – Getting a Fire Insurance – Fire insurance can be purchased separately or can be bundled as a part of a comprehensive home insurance policy or a standard property insurance policy. There is an additional fire liability insurance to cover for damages and costs to a third party due to a fire incident in your property. Before signing up, one should check whether fire insurance is part of their current policy (home insurance or property insurance). One also needs to ensure that the relocation dwelling clause is present. In areas where fires occur frequently, this coverage is provided as a part of a standard fire policy.
Important things to know about Fire Insurance – How expensive is Fire Insurance? Fire insurances are normally not very expensive. The costs however vary based on the locality and the business category. Some businesses which are prone to fire and some areas which have a fire history have a cheaper fire insurance than places and categories where this is definitely a large risk. Like in auto insurance where a good driving record reduces one’s insurance costs, the use of fire safety systems like fire alarms, fire extinguishers, fire evacuation methods and other safety measures will decrease the cost of a fire policy. As for the pricing – fire insurances, like other insurances are paid monthly or annually. As for the payout, in an actual fire event – some insurance companies will pay the actuals (plus or minus the property rise and fall), while other insurance companies pay the replacement costs.
Important things to know about Fire Insurance – Choosing the right Fire Insurance Company – One should check the reputation of the fire insurance company with rating organizations, as also the risk pool of the company for replacements related resolutions. Often, the company that provides current home insurance could give the fire policy with the right terms and prices. Some fires are specific to an area and therefore it is advisable to take it from a company that has the expertise in the specific category and location. When finalizing the insurance company, it is important to get a “peace of mind” feeling on your fire insurance policy and a certain assurance that you will be able to “get back on your feet” quickly.
Important things to know about Fire Insurance – Fire Insurance Claims – Claims in Fire Insurance can be very high and varied and unlike other insurances, which have a pre-defined paper work, Fire Insurance documentation is pretty lengthy with lot of “claim justification” processes in place. It is advisable to understand the claims handling approach of the insurance company and be aware of it prior to the fire event.